Moves on the Board: Week of Jan 27-31
♟️CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
Parker Administration
On Monday, January 27, Mayor Parker kicked off the week by signing legislation permitting additional speed enforcement on Route 13 in Northeast Philadelphia, which includes Roosevelt Boulevard. Roosevelt Boulevard has been named one of the deadliest roads in Philadelphia. Speed enforcement cameras were first introduced on the Boulevard in 2020, and since their implementation, there has been a significant reduction in speeding and car accidents.
The Mayor hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, January 29, to unveil a new music studio at the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center (PJJSC.) The studio will provide a creative space for PJJSC residents to learn music.
The Parker administration worked diligently to respond to the Trump administration’s federal funding freeze and subsequent revocation.
Philadelphia City Council
Philadelphia City Council did not hold any public committee hearings this week. The Council body convened on Thursday, January 30, for a voting session.
📜 Legislation We’re Watching
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier introduced her “Defying Displacement" legislative package to address the city’s housing crisis. Councilmember Gauthier’s legislative package is intended to “cut red tape” for residents and developers by fast-tracking approval processes with the Department of Licenses & Inspections, as well as proposal reviews with the Zoning Board of Adjustment, and permit residents to add accessory dwelling units to their property without city approval under certain terms and conditions.
Councilmember Rue Landau introduced a legislative package to address rental affordability that caps rental application fees at $20 and permits tenants to pay their security deposits in installments.
Councilmember Mike Driscoll introduced Resolution No. 250059 authorizing the Committee on Technology and Information to hold hearings on the operation of Philadelphia 311 and its engagement with city departments.
Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson introduced Resolution No. 250052 authorizing the Committee on Licenses & Inspections and the Committee on Public Safety to hold hearings on enforcement against drug paraphernalia stores defined explicitly in the legislation as smoke shops.
NEXT WEEK’S MOVES
There are no committee meetings currently scheduled for next week.
🗓️ City Council is in session on Thursday, February 6, 2025. Add it to your calendar.
♟️COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Shapiro Administration
Shapiro Administration
Earlier this week, Governor Shapiro responded to the Trump administration’s proposed federal funding freeze. The uncertainty surrounding federal funding will likely impact the Governor's budget address scheduled for Tuesday, February 4.
On Thursday, January 30, Governor Shapiro announced the “Lightning Plan” to address energy innovation and job growth within the Commonwealth. This plan will incentivize businesses to utilize the EDGE tax credit for manufacturing, create the RESET Board to expedite project approvals, and take action to lower utility costs for consumers while protecting the environment from further pollution. Energy and economic competitiveness will be core tenants in the Governor’s budget address, in addition to other vital issues like education and public transit funding.
📰 Updates from the Governor’s Newsroom
This week, two of the Governor’s Advisory Commissions highlighted their progress over the past two years as they work to build an administration that represents all Pennsylvanians. Links to the highlights can be found below.
♟️PENNSYLVANIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
As the General Assembly returned to Harrisburg for its first full week in the voting session, lawmakers set the tone for the months ahead by organizing their first committee meetings and considering a variety of legislation.
Senate Updates:
The Senate passed a legislative package to investigate fraud in public assistance programs. These bills were previously passed in the Senate in 2021 and 2023 legislative sessions but did not pass the House.
Two bills passed the Senate this week pertaining to eligibility for unemployment compensation and international athletic team physicians practicing medicine in the Commonwealth for a brief period.
House Updates:
The House mourned the loss of Rep. Gergley, whose memory was honored on the House floor on Monday, January 27. Several House committees met during the week and passed legislation. The House did not consider any bills on final passage.
Caucus Updates & Interest Groups
The Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus and Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus held a joint press conference to discuss policy victories from the previous legislative session and present their priorities for the 2025-26 legislative session, including the PA Momnibus Legislation.
The new Bipartisan Competitiveness Caucus was launched this week with a press conference where the caucus discussed its goals to improve Pennsylvania’s economic competitiveness. Legislative priorities include innovation, infrastructure, economic growth, workforce development, and education.
Local Delegation News
The House Philadelphia Delegation elected their leaders for the 2025-26 session.
NEXT WEEK’S MOVES
Governor Josh Shapiro will deliver his budget address on Tuesday, February 4 at 12:30 PM. Bellevue’s Compass series will analyze the Governor’s proposed budget on Friday, February 7 at 10 AM. Click here to register.
The House and Senate committees will meet in a voting session Monday, February 3, through Wednesday, February 5. The list of committee hearings for both chambers can be found at the following links.
What We’re Watching: Representative Elizabeth Fiedler introduced a bill HB362 to amend the fiscal code to unlock federal money for the Solar for All Program, which was created under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. The money will be disbursed in rural, suburban and urban communities across the state for residential solar projects. A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, February 4 at 10:00 AM.
Following the Governor’s proposed budget, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees meet throughout the remainder of February and much of March to review individual department budgets. The House and Senate return to voting session the week of March 24.
Hint: Related to speed cameras and traffic safety on Route 13. Answer: Enforcement
Hint: The focus of Councilmember Gauthier's new legislative package. Answer: Housing
Hint: Governor of Pennsylvania, whose budget address is next week. Answer: Shapiro
Hint: It is associated with the new Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center music studio. Answer: Juvenile
Hint: A key focus in Governor Shapiro's "Lightning Plan." Answer: Energy
Hint: This is a central theme in the updates from the Philadelphia City Council and the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Answer: Legislation.
Hint: Refers to this week’s biggest news impacting the city and state and the rest of the US. Answer: Freeze.
Hint: The body that convened for a voting session on January 30. Answer: Council